Means for adjusting the interlock of a voting machine



April 1, 1969 R. F. SHQUP 3,436,011-

MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE INTERLOCK OF A VOTING MA( JI'I IIIIHE Filed July 5, 1967 INVENTOR kill/80M F1 SHOUP ATTORNEY United States Patent 0 US. Cl. 235-51 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A shim insertable in the interlock of a voting machine of the type shown in Shoup patents, U.S. Numbers 2,054,102 and 2,293,669.

The invention A voting machine of the type referred to, includes an interlock which segregates the candidates running for one oifice from those runing for another oflice and for limiting the number of votes which can be cast. Because the number of candidates may vary and because the number of votes which may be cast also may vary, it has been necessary to dismantle the interlock after each use and to rebuild it according to the requirement of a subsequent election, even though the number of candidates in the subsequent election happens to be fewer than the number voted on in the preceding election.

The invention solves this problem by providing means for reducing the capacity of the interlock so as to limit the necessity of re-building the interlock to cases where the number of candidates is increased.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a shim embodying this invention.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 and shows the first step in inserting the shim of FIG. 1 into an interlock section of the type shown in the Shoup patents aforesaid.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 and shows the shim of FIG. 1 in position in the interlock.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view looking in the direction of line 4-4 on FIG. 3.

In FIGS. 27 and 28 of the Shoup Patent 2,054,102, re-

ferred to, there is shown an interlock which limits the number of candida running for an ofiice for which only one person can be elected (such as mayor), or seven persons may run for three seats (such as city councilmen). The type of interlock referred to is better illustrated in FIG. 1 of Shoup Patent 2,293,669 and to which reference may be had for the necessary background. But, to make detailed reference to the last mentioned parts of said patent are briefly described below, the reference numerals used being those which appear in FIG. 1 of Patent No. 2,293,669.

In this patent an interlock includes a vertical channel, locking pins 63 passing through the channel in vertically spaced relation, free moving balls, or rolls 62 and pull straps 61 passing between and extending outwardly of the rolls 62 and having wedges 64 disposed in the channel inwardly of the rolls. Play is provided between rolls 62 sufiicient to permit one, or more, wedges to be inserted out by turning a voting spindle in vote-casting direction. Referring to the part referred to as Main Interlock in Patent No. 2,293,669, it will be seen that there are four rolls and three pull straps between the uppermost pair of locking pins 63. It will also be-seen that there is a vacant patent unnecessary, the pertinent 3,43 6,01 l Patented Apr. 1, 1969 space immediately below uppermost pin 63. This means that only one of the three pull straps can be moved outwardly because the wedge 64 of the first pull strap moved will fill the vacant space and will immobilize all of the other pull straps. Obviously, if the vacant space is doubled, two out of the three, or more, pull straps can be pulled out, and so on.

It is clear that the setup of an interlock for an election where, for example, seven candidates are running for a given ofiice, will not be suitable for another election in which a fewer number of candidates are running for the same ofiice. It can also happen that the setup for only one ofiice need be altered. But, according to the disclosure of Patent No. 2,293,669, the number of pull straps which can be pulled out from any section of the interlock cannot be changed without pulling out all of pins 63 and removing rolls 62 to decrease the space which receives the wedges 64 of the straps which are pulled out. The time and labor involved in such a procedure, are almost prohibitive.

According to this invention, the capacity of the various interlock sections may be modified, Within a wide range, without pulling out the locking pins or dismounting any other part of the interlock. This is accomplished by making the interlock sections big enough to accommodate the largest conceivable number of candidates and then reducing the space between the delimiting pins 63 by inserting shims which decrease the available play in the needed. For example, and assumcouncilmen are replaced every year, the corresponding interlock section for the pull straps to be used in electing the five members of council, can be so made as to allow only five pull straps to be pulled out. But if, in a special election for councilmen, or if in a different election for a different oflice, only two candidates are to be voted for, additional shims can be interlock channel further to decrease the play so as to limit the number of pull straps which can be moved out to two, and so on.

As will be seen from the Shoup Patent No. 2,293,669, the interlock is of U-shape in cross section and its limbs are provided with grooves, which receive the opposite The shim illustrated includ es a handle portion 10 which carries a U-shaped element 1 2 formed of limbs 14 and 16 The interlock t with that shown in the Shou such as limb 16, is 6 of which slants as When it is desired to reduce the capacity of a section of the interlock, that is, when it is desired to reduce the number of pull straps which can be moved by the rotation of the corresponding spindles, the round end of the shim is inserted into interlock. When, as shown in FIG. 2, lug 24 reaches the interlock opening, it slides against one edge 28 of the interlock. During this movement, the limbs of the shim are compressed and, as soon as lug 24 clears the edge of the interlock, it snaps out into adjacent groove 20 to lock the shim in position as shown in FIG. 3. To remove a shim, it is merely necessary to compress the limbs until lug 24 clears groove 20 and then to pull the shim out of the interlock.

For example, in one election it may be necessary to elect four out of nine candidates for the office of councilman and therefore the interlock section used will have nine pull straps and will have enough play to permit movement of four pull straps before the rest of the pull straps are immobilized. In another election, it may be necessary to use the same interlock section to vote for a number of candidates less than four. Without this invention, it will be necessary to dismantle and reassemble the interlock section to reduce the play, so as to permit the movement of the desired number of pull straps. This involves considerable time and labor and can only be effected in the shop. According to this invention, it is merely necessary to insert one shim for each pull strap to be immobilized. For example, if the interlock section is initially provided with enough play to permit movement of four pull straps and if it is dsired to limit the number of movable pull straps to two, it is only necessary to insert two shims in the interlock section. When this is done, only two pull straps, instead of four can be used. It is evident that the shim of this invention can be inserted, or removed, instantly, without skill, without special tools, at any location and under all conditions.

What I claim is:

1. A shim for insertion through a passage defined by a wall, said shim comprising flat, co-planar parallel limbs and a fiat, co-planar bight portion connecting said limbs, said shim being made of a resilient material whereby said limbs are movable relative to each other, a lug projecting laterally from one of said limbs, the width of said shim and said lug combined being greater than the width of said passage whereby one of said limbs must be moved to- ,4 ward the other to compress the shim prior to insertion of the shim into said passage and whereby upon movement of said shim through said passage until said lug clears said passage, said limbs will resume their initial position and said lug will engage the edge of said wall to prevent reverse movement of said shim, the leading face of said lug being tapered in the direction of movement of said shim into the passage to facilitate insertion of the shim into the passage and the trailing face of said lug being square to prevent movement of said shim out of said passage without prior compression of the shim.

2. The combination, with a voting machine interlock of the type which has a side opening adapted to receive a given number of pull straps and is provided with enough play to permit movement, relative to the interlock, of a number of pull straps less than said given number; of means for varying the amount of play to vary the number of pull straps which may be moved relative to the interlock,

of a shim having a thickness substantially equal to the eifective thickness of a pull strap, and

a lug carried by a side of said shim and engageable with the interior of the interlock, detachably to secure said shim in said interlock,

the combined width of said shim and said lug being greater than the width of said opening,

said shim being resiliently compressible to a combined width less than the width of said opening to permit insertion and withdrawal of said shim into, and from, said interlock, while said shim is in the compressed condition, without moving, or removing, any pull strap.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,054,102 9/1936 Shoup et a1. 235- 2,230,884 2/1941 Gustavson 23551 2,293,669 8/1942 Shoup 235--55 2,953,296 9/1960 Shoup 235-55 3,174,684 3/1965 Swanson et a1. 235-54 'STEPHEN J. TOMSKY, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 235-55 

